Year 12-13 External Examination:
For both the Advanced Subsidiary GCE (G571 and G572) and the full Advanced GCE (2771, 2772, 2791) candidates study Philosophy of Religion and Religious Ethics. These specifications are designed to enable candidates to:

- develop an interest in and enthusiasm for a rigorous study of religion;
- treat the subject as an academic discipline by developing knowledge and understanding appropriate to a specialist study of religion;
- use an enquiring, critical and empathetic approach to the study of religion.

The OCR Advanced Subsidiary GCE and Advanced GCE Religious Studies specifications are designed to support a course of study suitable for candidates from any religious background (or none).

The qualifications follow the standard Advanced GCE pattern of two AS units which may be combined with two A2 units to obtain a full Advanced GCE. All the units are available by examination only.

These specifications build on the knowledge, understanding and skills that candidates may have developed through the study of GCSE Religious Studies; they do not, however, assume or require any previous study of the subject. They are equally suitable for those wishing to continue the study of Religion at a higher level and for those who wish to broaden an education primarily focused on other areas of knowledge, whether in the humanities or the sciences.

The OCR Syllabus requires that students are prepared for examinations in the following areas of study within the fields of Philosophy and Ethics:

• Greek Influences on Philosophy: Socrates, Plato and Aristotle.
• Judeo-Christian Influences on Philosophy through biblical set texts.
• Arguments for proof of the existence of God: Cosmological, Teleological, Ontological Moral and Religious Experience Arguments.
• The challenge posed to religion from the Problem of Evil, and Science.
• Ethical Theory: Utilitarianism, Situation Ethics, Virtue Ethics, Meta-ethics, Natural Law and the Categorical Imperative.
• Practical Ethics: Abortion, Euthanasia, Personhood, Right to Life and a Child, Genetics and Embryology.

Assessment is done through written examination in January and June.  The course enables students to reflect on these issues in an open forum of discussion and debate.  Students are encouraged to read beyond these areas to inform their discussion further and promote life long learning and thinking. 

AS G571 Philosophy Paper, and AS resit of 2761 Paper, Thursday January 15th 2009

AS G572 Ethics Paper, and any AS resit papers, Tuesday 2nd June 2009

A2 2771 Philosophy Paper, and 2772 Ethics Paper, Friday 5th June 2009

A2 2791 Synoptic Paper, Tuesday 16th June 2009